Khamzat Chimaev of Russia has defeated Kamaru Usman of Nigeria to win the UFC middleweight championship title.
In the UFC 294 co-main event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, Chimaev beat the former welterweight champion on points.
Chimaev was awarded the majority decision with scores of 29-27, 29-27, and 28-28.
He was initially expected to face Paulo Costa, but the Brazilian was forced to withdraw on 10 days’ notice due to an elbow injury, leading Usman to step in.
The Nigerian, who held the welterweight title from 2018 until 2022, moved up to middleweight for the short-notice clash, fighting one of the sport’s most fearsome figures.
“I didn’t come here for the title. I came to make money and be happy,” Chimaev said during his post-fight interview. “I was in a gym two meters wide. I didn’t have food.
“It’s crazy. I love my job and I’m happy today to have money and food for my mom.”
Chimaev has now improved to a perfect 13-0.
Usman (20-4), on the other hand, has now lost three straight fights.
“The Nigerian Nightmare” is on his first career losing streak after defeats to Chimaev and twice to Leon Edwards.
